In Genesis 3:7-8 we see that after eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil the first thing that Adam and his wife did was to hide themselves from each other. This continues to be a problem with relationships today; we hid ourselves from God and others! We all find it hard to reveal to people who we are, and struggle to become what we believe that people want us to be. The idea of being laid “bare” before others, causes us to panic, and therefore, we often conform to the image of the group so that we can blend into the crowd rather than being salt and light. One of the things that makes a follower of Christ different from the world, is that we find our identity in Christ, and not in the opinions of man. Yet it is still hard for us to overcome this battle. How do we do it? We have to recognize that according to Romans 12:2 we are “… transformed by the renewing of your mind, …” We are not what we were, and we do not have to be what we think the world wants us to be. We … READ MORE

The fact that Psalm 115:3 says, God “does whatever He pleases” often causes people to view God as arbitrary or selfish. However, we must understand that this verse is couched in the attributes of God, and the knowledge that God will never do anything contrary to His nature. With that in mind, we are reminded by this passage and others like it that on one hand, no one can act and no circumstances can occur outside the bounds of God’s sovereign will. And on the other hand, No one can frustrate His plans or hinder his purposes. God doing as He desires is a statement of comfort to those who trust in Him, because we are brought to an understanding that God not only has the right to do what He wants, and the desire to accomplish His plan, but He also has the ability to carry that plan out. No one, nor nothing can keep God from accomplishing His plan for His creation. Everything that we do and experience is all a part of kingdom living. Isaiah 46:10 reminds us that God has said, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,” This counsel was established … READ MORE

One of our problems with the sovereignty of God is that it frequently does not appear that God is in control of the circumstances of our lives. It is difficult to see God working through secondary causes and frail, sinful human beings. Yet, to believe in the sovereignty of God when we do not see His direct intervention is even more important because that is the way God usually works. While God’s sovereignty is not always apparent, He continues to work providentially in the lives of all His creation. Much of the Old Testament narratives are given to us to see the mighty hand of God in the events of history. Paul writes in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before [Old Testament Scriptures] were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (comment mine). We need to review the Old Testament Historical narratives with an eye to the plan and purposes of God, viewing how He worked in the lives of the nation, and remember that He says in Malachi 3:6, “I am the LORD, I change not!” This is how we can give thanks to God for all … READ MORE